28 



So I am concerned about that. Even today, there are officials 

 from the commodity programs and the international affairs divi- 

 sion in Mexico meeting with them on the impact of NAFTA on the 

 sugar industry. 



I hope that we can begin to resolve these kinds of things. 



GATT, of course, is a little more difficult. The authorities and 

 the negotiations are due in March. We had hoped that there would 

 have been a successful resolution. March is right around the 

 corner. I don't think it is going to happen. So we have to sit and 

 counsel to see where we're going with regard to GATT. 



They have made significant progress on reducing the export sub- 

 sidies and the internal support, but there are some market access 

 problems that I don't believe will be resolved in a month's time. 



Having had a chance to travel with the chairman a couple of 

 times to Geneva and Brussels to review the discussions on GATT, I 

 have always had problems with the success of that ongoing negotia- 

 tion. I have had problems with regard to the seriousness of the EC 

 negotiators and our Japanese competitors. I hope that we can get 

 them to become a little more serious than they are right now. 



Mr. Bishop. Mr. Secretary, if I might follow-up for just a 

 moment, the President had indicated that in considering NAFTA 

 and GATT — of course, more NAFTA because it is now sort of a 

 done deal, in a sense — that he would explore the possibility of some 

 side agreements. It is our hope that in approaching the side agree- 

 ments that consideration will be given to the tremendous economic 

 impact that will result to our rural areas, particularly the peanut- 

 growing areas in south Georgia, as a result of NAFTA. 



Of course, GATT is still in the negotiation stage and that is still 

 up for discussion and open. The jury is still out on that, but we 

 really need some help with those side agreements in NAFTA. 



Secretary Espy. The side-bar agreements that you mentioned 

 have traditionally been considered restricted to environment, labor 

 areas, and food safety. Perhaps we can expand it. I will look into it. 



Mr. Bishop. Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary. 



The Chairman. Thank you very much. 



Mr. Emerson. 



Mr. Emerson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Secretary, it is a very special privilege to welcome you to 

 your old home here, back to this committee, albeit you in a differ- 

 ent capacity than we have come to know each other over the years. 



One of the great highlights of the opportunity I have had in serv- 

 ing in the Congress has been to work closely with you and to get to 

 know you over the years on this committee and on the Select Com- 

 mittee on Hunger where you have provided great leadership, and 

 in our mutual interests relating to the Lower Mississippi Delta 

 region of our country, and in the House at large. 



Throughout our association I have certainly come to know you as 

 a person of great integrity, competence, understanding, and com- 

 passion. I know that in your new job you are going to bring all 

 those qualities to bear in abundance. 



So for my part this morning, I just want to say welcome. I am 

 sure we will have an opportunity for a substantive discussion of 

 issues down the road, but it is particularly heartwarming to have a 

 person of your ability sitting where you're sitting. I want to con- 



